Carole Menser

The West Coast was my home for 40 years. I now live in Middle Tennessee. I've been a gardener most of my life and have written for several gardening websites. I have a B.A. in European History and an M.A. in Behavioral Science with an emphasis in conflict resolution. I spent a number of years working with victims of domestic violence. I'm passionate about gardening, environmental issues and I love to travel.

I've been a gardener for decades and have encountered many insects. Some I consider friends and some foes. One insect I frequently encounter in my yard and of which I am very fond is the carpenter bee. Read More

Sunchokes, native to Eastern North America, are also known as Jerusalem Artichokes and Sunroots. However, they're not from Jerusalem and they're not artichokes. So what are they and where did the name come from? Read More

One of my favorite flower gardens isn't found outside. The flowers aren't even alive. The garden I'm referring to is the Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt given to me as a wedding gift by my own grandmother. Read More

As spring fades away and summer takes over, many gardeners find it increasingly difficult to work in the garden. Fortunately, there are flowering plants that bloom profusely throughout summer without a lot of fuss. Read More

Vertical gardening is the use of a vertical space to grow vegetables, herbs, flowers, and even some plants with woody roots. For centuries, traditional gardeners have used trellises to do similar things with climbing plants like squash and beans. Read More

Beneficial bugs are predatory insects that like to target other specific insect pests. As gardening season rolls around, the presence of these predators becomes crucial for a healthy landscape. Read More

Just like roofs shed water, towns have become engineered to channel and divert stormwater to prevent flooding. However, this efficient system of moving water also provides a conduit for the chemicals used in our gardens and yards to reach streams, creeks, ponds, and rivers. Read More

When warm weather arrives, mosquitoes can quickly become a nuisance. Some of them transmit diseases. There are many different species, each with different preferences for climate and breeding territory. Read More

The inquisitive call of who-who-who isn't the only intriguing thing about owls. They have a voracious appetite for voles, mice and other rodents as well as large insects that can destroy a garden. Read More

Not all plants will thrive in cool weather. Cool-season vegetables grow best at temperatures around 15° cooler than those needed by warm season types. Most can survive short periods of frost. Read More